What's the best way to take a picture in a dark place?

Question

Without a flash...

If the iso is too high, the photo will be grainy.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

use a shutter speed of 15- 30 seconds or so, F8 or 11 at 100iso ---- use a tripod

thats what i do, example:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martini2005/2090135728/

EDIT: Sam most DSLR's at 100iso should proform almost as well as film, of course film has no noise so heres a 100iso from a cheap DSLR made over 30 seconds - with a zoom pull at 20 seconds

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne?id=2122563636&size=l


a

Answer 2

Your camera must have a Manual Mode so you can be in control and set everything. Your shutter speed setting needs at least a minimum speed of 15 seconds or a "T" or "B" setting (either allows you to hold the shutter open as long as you wish). If using "T" or "B" you'll need a cable release; if you can set the shutter at up to 15 seconds you can use the camera's self-timer.

You've already been told to use a tripod.

Suppose you want to take pictures of a city skyline, after dark, in the distance - across a river or lake or wherever. I use the FotoSharp (fotosharp.com) Day & Night Exposure Guide, Scene # 14.

ISO 100

f2.8 @ 4 sec.
f4 @ 8 sec.
f5.6 @ 15 sec.
f8 @ 30 sec.
f11 @ 60 sec.

ISO 200

f2.8 @ 2 sec.
f4 @ 4 sec.
f5.6 @ 8 sec.
f8 @ 15 sec.
f11 @ 30 sec.

Please note that the f-stops listed are based on the traditional f-stops commonly found on lenses for 35mm film cameras. If the f-stops available on your lens don't match up, you'll have to do some experimentation. Suppose you have an f-stop of 6.3 instead of f5.6. Try 1 exposure at 10 sec. and 1 at 12 sec. (at ISO 200) and decide which one gives you the result you like best. At ISO 100 try 17 sec. and 20 sec.

For a different effect try zooming in during the exposure. Be careful to not jar the camera. (I have a vantage point that allows composing at 70mm and then I'll zoom in to 210mm.)

If your lens accepts filters, try a 4-point cross screen (aka starburst) filter. Every point of light will have 4 "light rays" emanating from it. This filter is best used with only a few scattered points of light - otherwise they overlap and you really can't see the city skyline. You might like that effect though so give it a try.

Answer 3

You can only reduce the graininess. Without the proper tools (the right camera) you'll have to make do with what you have. This is assuming you have a normal point and shoot digicam.

use a tripod
set the iso high enough that you can tolerate the noise. You can always remove it with software
use the longest shutter speed you can
have patience. your pictures won't come out perfect every time. Low lighting conditions are difficult to take clear pictures, especially with movement (like people moving)

Answer 4

Set a low ISO, use a tripod and a long shutter speed. Use the self-timer to release the shutter. Alternative: Get a digital SLR with a large sensor and the ISO noise ("grain") will not he as bad as it is in a point and shoot camera.

POINT AND SHOOT CAMERAS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5 seconds - ISO 80: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/2059201102/

1 second - ISO 100: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/441244806/

15 seconds - ISO 200 - not TOO bad: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/2084567023/

1/8 second - ISO 3200 - It's grainy, but it was only lit by a burning match: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/842992586/

DIGITAL SLR'S
~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 seconds - ISO 100: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/2119933026/

1/125 sec. - ISO 6400 - Okay, it's a bit grainy, but it's DARK in here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/samfeinstein/2142475555/

ANTONIS: You already know that I love that image, but it's film so there will not be any trouble with digital noise.

~~~~~~~~~~
ADDITIONAL
~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks, Antoni. Granted, a digital camera should be abot "noiseless" at ISO 100, as your second example shows. It's too bad I down-rezzed my sycamore trees, because they support your idea about ISO 100 being so good as far as noise goes. I used them as an example, though. I'm betting our asker is using a P&S, though.

Answer 5

Take multiple long exposures with the camera on a sturdy tripod, using moderate ISO film.

Answer 6

use a tripod and low ISO film with a slow shutter speed and or a wide aperture setting
You might also ask your developer to push the film but grain will still be a factor

Answer 7

On my camera (Fujifilm S5200) there is a setting called "natural lighting". I find that this works really well, if you don't have the knowledge about iso and the technical stuff... (I don't know anything about these .... yet...)